Vital Villa Summer Interview: thorpyuk

Heh, you might smile, but when I was only about 3 years old I was asked which football team I supported, and I could only remember the name of one - the Villa! So that was my answer, and it stuck ever since!

Q: The season just gone, good bad or ugly? What did you think of it?

I think overall, good. 2 visits to Wembley can't be sniffed at, and neither can beating Liverpool & Man United on their home soil. I was a bit disappointed about Europe, but there's always next season right? Glad we finished on more points than we did last season - at least it shows we're moving in the right direction.

Q: Best and worst moment of last season?Best - sitting in the pub watching us beat Manchester United at Old Trafford - what an occasion that was. As soon as the final whistle blew everyone erupted :)Worst - The opening day disaster against Wigan. If we'd have won that those 3 points could have made all the difference towards the end of the season!

Q: James Milner... is he off do you think? If so, what price (realistically) should Villa hold out for? If off to Man City, which - if any - of their players would you want in exchange?I'd hold out for £30m… youngest scorer in the premier league, most capped U21 player, PFA young player of the year… they don't come cheap! I hope he's here next season though of course.

Q: What signings (type of player or specific name/s if you wish) would you like to see Villa buy this summer? We are desperate for a natural goal poacher. I may get flamed for this, but I'd use Gabby as more of an impact player off the bench, when he can use his raw pace against a tired defence. Darren Bent gets my vote.

Q: Where do you stand on Martin O'Neill (I don't mean literally, that would be assault) ? I'd like him to stay - I believe his good points outweigh the bad, and he's certainly got the defence sorted this season despite the massive loss of Martin Laursen...

Q: Your opinion of Randy and the board?

Excellent - they give MON the freedom to manage, but inject funds where necessary. At the same time, they are moral, and won't just throw cash at the problem.

Q: Favourite current player and favourite all time player/sCurrent player - Ash Young- genuine talent on the ball, and a sensible head on him.All-time player - Martin Laursen - that guy knew almost as soon as the ball had been kicked exactly where it would land, and was always underneath it. I liked the way he used to headbutt his teammates too when they got in the way lol

Q: Do you expect progress next season, difficult to answer before the transfer window closes I know?

I hope for progress, and we have crawled forward over the last few seasons. With the right signings we could advance. I'll wait & see what the first few results bring (not the first few signings!)

Q: Right, lets lower the tone... which celebrity would you most like to bang and which (male I would think) celeb would you most like to thump!?!